CANGGU, BALI

After Google mapping Canggu to Seminyak, I decided it was an easy walk and tried, in vain, to convince my counterparts to do so. “It’s a 15 minute walk guys – 2km!” The girls refused and turned out to probably be for the best – the sun was beating down on our way to grab a taxi and we were drenched in sweat by the time we got a coffee from their fave local coffee shop. The taxi tool at least 20 minutes down a fairly confusing route so if we wanted to get there at a reasonable hour, not exhausted, it was a good idea to get transport.

When we arrived at Old Mans Beach, it was fairly empty; a beautiful black sand beach and an ocean with huge sets rolling in. The ocean was filling up with surfers more and more every minute. We bought coconuts and Bintangs and laid on day beds all afternoon. I read my book and napped while the girls splashed out on some full body massages under the beach umbrella for $10AUD each. Baller.

Eventually our one friend had to leave to grab her flight home, so we said our goodbyes and retired to the bar for some food and 2 for 1 drinks. Old Mans bar was crammed with people and reminded me of a Wharf Bar Sunday (for any beaches people reading this). We plonked down for a few drinks until a rain shower soaked everyone and the bar began to clear out. My friend and I decided to walk to town and grab a taxi back to our villa, where we had another beer each, a long ridiculous conversation, and headed to bed before midnight.

Highlights:

– Old Mans beach and beach bar. Buy the beers from the carts on the side of the road for $1 or $2.

– Bargain with beach massage ladies and meet at a reasonable middle point. They will always start way too high and come down a significant amount.

– Head to town and check out the little boutiques if you’re looking to pick up some hidden treasures.

– Tons of heathy little cafes around if you are staying around the area.

– Hire a surfboard and give the waves in the mornings! Or if that’s not your thing, yoga studios offer beautiful sunrise yoga sessions.